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Shropshire Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-24

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Shropshire Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-24 Shropshire Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-24 Draft, 15th October 2018 Local authorities’ Local Plans 28 Contents (click on titles below to jump to that section) Protection and enhancement of the AONB and its special qualities 28 Vision and Forewords 2 Landscape 30 Executive Summary 3 Heritage 31 Introduction 4 Housing 33 Legal Framework 4 Agricultural development 34 The Shropshire Hills AONB and its management 4 Roads 36 What and who is the Management Plan for? 5 Renewable energy 36 Explanation of some key terms and concepts 6 Visitor Economy 38 The NAAONB and the AONB Family 6 Sustainable communities 39 Glover Review of designated landscapes 7 Planning for a sustainable economy and communities - Actions 39 International context 7 People enjoying and caring about the landscape 40 Geographical context of the AONB 7 Recreation, health and wellbeing 40 Process for preparing the Management Plan 8 Understanding and learning 41 Statement of significance and special qualities 10 Active volunteering 41 Summary of condition of the AONB and trends 12 Contributing 41 Summary of achievements in Plan period 2014-19 13 Access and activity providers 41 Key Issues 14 Sustainable tourism 41 Policy Framework 14 Communications 41 People enjoying and caring about the landscape - Policies 42 Land management supporting landscape and natural beauty 15 People enjoying and caring about the landscape - Actions 43 Natural capital and ecosystem services 16 Landscape character 17 The AONB boundary and Zone of Influence 45 Biodiversity and natural environment 17 Local priorities for areas of the AONB 45 Soils 18 Long Mynd – Stiperstones 45 Air quality 18 Clun Forest & Valley 47 Water and catchment management 18 Clee Hills 48 Woodlands and trees 20 Stretton Valley, Wenlock Edge & Dales 49 Historic Environment 21 Wrekin Forest 50 Helping farming to support natural beauty 22 Implementation and monitoring 52 New Environmental Land Management Schemes 22 References 54 Integrated area projects 23 Abbreviations 56 Land management supporting landscape & natural beauty - Policies 24 Appendix 1 Headline Indicators 57 Land management supporting landscape & natural beauty - Actions 25 Appendix 2 Outline priority outcomes for New Environmental Land Planning for a sustainable economy and communities 26 Management schemes in the Shropshire Hills AONB 58 Planning and AONBs – national policy and context 26 1 Vision The Vision for the Shropshire Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-24 remains xxx the same as in the previous Plan: James Williamson, AONB Partnership Chair The natural beauty of the Shropshire Hills landscape is conserved, enhanced and helped to adapt - by sympathetic land management, by co-ordinated action and by sustainable communities; and is valued for its richness of geology, wildlife xxxx and heritage, and its contribution to prosperity and wellbeing. Local authority member representatives on the AONB Partnership Forewords I am fortunate that England’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are part of my Ministerial responsibilities. Whether it be rolling hills, sweeping coastline or a tranquil village, spending time in an AONB can stir the heart and lift the spirit. This is a pivotal moment for all AONBs. The Government has set its ambition in the 25 Year Environment Plan which states clearly the importance of natural beauty as part of our green future, while AONBs retain the highest status of protection for landscape through national planning policy. Leaving the EU brings with it an opportunity to develop a better system for supporting our farmers and land managers, who play such a vital role as stewards of the landscape. And the Review of National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty led by Julian Glover - the first of its kind for generations - will make recommendations to make sure our designated landscapes can flourish in the years ahead. In my visits to AONBs around the country, I have been struck by the passion of many people - farmers, volunteers, and hard-working staff - for the beautiful places they live and work. In this sprit I am delighted to welcome publication of this Statutory Management Plan for the Shropshire Hills AONB. It is significant that this plan will be delivered in partnership by those who value the Shropshire Hills. I would like to thank all those involved in preparation of this document, and wish you the best of success in bringing it to fruition. Lord Gardiner, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Executive Summary The character and quality of the Shropshire Hills landscape are of high importance but under increasing pressure. The condition of a number of the special qualities of the AONB is declining. Conservation activity through many schemes and projects is not enough to prevent some declines in wildlife. Not Special places matter to us. They give us a sense of belonging and peace. enough progress is being made with some water quality and catchment The Shropshire Hills have evolved through the interaction of people and management targets. Farming, especially in the uplands, is at an important nature over a long time to produce a character and quality which we value. cross-roads as we head towards new UK policy and funding regimes. Economic forces are increasing development pressure and reducing resources for positive The landscape contributes greatly to the economy and to our health and management, leading to more deterioration of valuable features by neglect. culture. Food production needs soils and water, while our hills and woods help to manage flood risk. Nature and beautiful landscapes are good for our The Plan sets out policies and proposed actions under three main aims: mental wellbeing and quality of life, provide a sense of identity, and attract business investment. • Land management supporting natural beauty and landscape • Planning for a sustainable economy and communities ‘Natural beauty’ does not exclude people. Nature provides the bones and processes of our landscape, which is shaped by farmers and land managers, • People enjoying and caring about the landscape and enjoyed by many. Safeguarding the positive interaction between people and nature is vital to This Plan will help deliver many of the priorities of Defra’s 25 Environment Plan - protecting and sustaining the area and its value. clean air and water, thriving plants and wildlife, reduced risk from flooding and drought, using natural resources more sustainably and efficiently, enhanced beauty, heritage and engagement with the natural environment. The Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty was designated in 1958 recognising the national value of the landscape. The AONB covers a quarter of Shropshire, including the Long Mynd, Stiperstones, The Wrekin and Wenlock Edge, as well as the Clee Hills and Clun Forest. The landscape is rich in wildlife and heritage, along with scenic quality and views, tranquillity, culture and opportunities for enjoyment. The primary purpose of AONB designation is to conserve and enhance natural beauty. AONBs have protection in planning policy, and the statutory Management Plan for the AONB is reviewed every five years. This Plan is about the future of this special place, and is based on local partnership and consensus. It seeks to apply local solutions to local challenges that also respect the national and international importance of the AONB. The plan is for guiding and inspiring action to meet the AONB purposes. This Management Plan is prepared by the Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership on behalf of Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council. 3 INTRODUCTION Introduction The Shropshire Hills AONB and its management The Shropshire Hills are beautiful rolling upland landscape lying along the Legal framework Welsh border but only an hour from Birmingham. Best known for the Long Mynd, Stiperstones, The Wrekin and Wenlock Edge, the AONB also includes the The primary purpose of AONB designation is to conserve and enhance natural Clee Hills and Clun Forest. With a diverse geology giving rise to craggy ridges, beauty. moorland plateaux and wooded scarps, the landscape of hills, farmland, woods, rivers and villages is rich in wildlife and heritage, along with scenic quality and The 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act first established the views, tranquillity, culture and opportunities for enjoyment. The Shropshire Hills AONB designation and this statutory purpose. The Act provided AONBs with AONB was designated in 1958 and covers 804km² (23% of Shropshire). protection under planning law against inappropriate development and gave local authorities powers to take action in support of the purpose. The 46 AONBs in the UK are living, working landscapes that contribute some £16bn every year to the national economy. Over two thirds of England’s The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 confirmed the purpose and population live within half an hour’s drive of an AONB, and around 150 million significance of AONBs, adding: people visit English AONBs every year, spending in excess of £2bn. Together • a statutory duty to prepare a Management Plan ‘which formulates their policy with National Parks, AONBs represent our most outstanding landscapes, to be for the management of their area of outstanding natural beauty and for the managed in the interest of everyone and protected for future generations. carrying out of their functions in relation to it’, and to review adopted and published Plans at intervals of not more than
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